The Value in Listening

I love not talking sometimes. I enjoy working on projects or researching with the lack of talking or conversations with other people.  No email, no texting, no facebook, no communication with others whatsoever.  The lack of distraction is pleasant and meditative for me.  I’m left with my thoughts, or lack thereof.  In this state, my head becomes clear and ideas that were hiding in the deep dark corners of my brain come forward and are revealed.

When Austin asked me what my dream job is I thought about it for a moment and replied that first there would need to be a device that records my thoughts.  That way I wouldn’t have to type or speak what I was thinking.  A lot of times there is a loss of thought or a loss in translation that happened when putting my thoughts into words.  What I think in my head just isn't as great as what my fingers types on my computer.  

One thing I enjoy about my current job is that I don’t have to speak very much.  I can just be and listen to my client.  That's why I love health coaching so much!  I get to listen to people and hear about their wins and struggles with nutrition and being healthy.  I can just be and listen to them.  And often in that awkward silence is when clients get into what’s really going on.  They go deeper into their struggles and find the root cause of their health issue or emotional eating.  This is where the healing starts.  It’s pretty freakin cool!  Of course there is talking on my part in health coaching however, a big part of what I do is listen.  

I’ve found that I have always been a listener.  Growing up I would sit and listen to a friend who is dealing with a difficult situation without interrupting or judgment.  This was often due to me not knowing how to respond to their situation, or my politeness in not wanting to interrupt a person while they were talking.  This gave them the space to be heard, to speak their thoughts, and to work through their issues.  Through this I learned that oftentimes when we are silent and just listen, the person we are listening to is able to figure out their own solution to their problem.  They just need to space to speak their mind and verbalize their thoughts.  How great is that!  

When was the last time someone sat and just listened to you?  With no judgment, no favoritism, with a neutral view?  This can be difficult to find or experience.  If you need a listener, I am here for you. To listen to your struggles and challenges when it comes to your health and lifestyle without judgment, and from a neutral standpoint.  The value of listening is amazing and can be truly healing.